a weekend, in screenshots
The Devil Wears Prada
I for real did not like the book of The Devil Wears Prada. I don’t care about fashion, and I’ve never opened a Vogue magazine in my life. But the movie of The Devil Wears Prada? Loved it. Own it. Watch it on weekends. (I also own both Princess Diaries movies. Maybe I just like to watch Anne Hathaway pretend to be ugly?) I can’t put my finger on why I like this movie so much, but I do. All except the part where Meryl Streep demands that Anne Hathaway get a copy of the unreleased Harry Potter manuscript. I shout at the TV every single time it happens, because while I believe ugly people can work in fashion, I do not believe that even Anna Wintour herself could have gotten her hands on Harry Potter before it was released.
30 Rock
30 Rock still isn’t getting the kind of ratings NBC wants, even though they sandwiched it between My Name is Earl and The Office on Thursday nights. I don’t watch it on Thursday nights on account of I am watching Ugly Betty at that time. But every Saturday morning, 30 Rock is the first thing I do. You guys, this show is so smart, and so funny, and I am so in love with Tina Fey. Plus, this week Carrie Fisher guest starred, and while I’ve never personally had a Princess Leia fantasy, it sure was funny to imagine Ross’ reaction when Carrie Fisher said to Tina Fey, “I sat around while my junk went bad!” But my favorite line this week was when Tina Fey said, “I don’t want to sound like a weirdo fan, but I’m obsessed with everything you’ve ever done.” Which is exactly what would come out of my mouth if I ever met JK Rowling. (You know, right before my head hit the ground from the passing out.)
Fantastic Four
Every time we go into Blockbuster, Amy gets all wrapped up in the Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer display. Amy is nothing if not sequential, so, having never seen the first Fantastic Four, she couldn’t bring herself to watch the second. Well, Friday the first one was in stock. I was all, “Seriously, kid, this is the worst superhero movie ever. It's like a giant Mountain Dew and Burger King commercial, with really bad graphics.” And she was like, “No, it’ll be good!” I agreed to watch it with her, and way, way before the end, she was all, “Please, take this out and put in one of your Jane Austen movies.” Because, seriously? Batman with George Clooney is better than Fantastic Four.
Dan in Real Life
(Don't have a screenshot. Amy wouldn't let me take my camera into the theater.)
I thought I was going to have a little trouble with the suspension of disbelief in this one. As soon as Steve Carell came onto the screen, Amy whispered, “I am Michael Scott,” in a voice that sounded so like Michael Scott that it actually scared me. But I really liked the movie. It was funny and sweet, and even though it stalled in a couple of places, I thought it was worth my ten bucks. My trouble suspending disbelief came when Dan in Real Life kissed Juliette Binoche. I noticed it in 40 Year Old Virgin; and I noticed it with Michael Scott and Jan; and I noticed it in this movie, too: Steve Carell is the worst. kisser. ever. It grosses me out to look at it. But, you know, otherwise: good movie.
The Magic Kingdom
Most of the time the reward of writing is the actual writing. But sometimes you write something and people like it. And sometimes—really, really rare times—you meet someone who not only likes it, but wants to send you a gift for doing it. I wrote a story, and corresponded with a wonderful woman who liked it. And as a thank you, she sent me some gifts, including an awesome pair of Mickey Mouse ears DIRECTLY FROM DISNEYLAND!
Saturday morning I asked Amy to take my picture with my new ears, and she went all bananas like she was paparazzi or something. (I need to get the TMZ channel taken off our cable plan.) She was hopping around asking about my affair with Minnie Mouse, and I was all, “Wha…” And she snapped the picture.
In Bridget Jones’s Diary (the book, not the movie), Bridget’s mum is always like, “Don’t say ‘what,’ say ‘pardon,’ darling.” Solid advice, I suppose. Unfortunately, if I took that advice, it would cut out a substantial portion of my vocabulary. I make that face and say, “Wha…” to pretty much everything people tell me. All the time.
Unless you are telling me you can get a Harry Potter manuscript early. In which case I make an entirely different face, and say, “Bullshit.”
Comments
Firstly, those ears...are fabulous. Secondly, I totally agree with you about the HP manuscript...totally unbelievable and makes me angry everytime I view The Devil Wears Prada. I worship Meryl Streep, but Miranda makes me want to vomit a little. Her character is this huge feminist paradox. *gag*
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Oh, I think Miranda Priestly is amazing! She's such a dynamic, three-dimensional character in the movie. (In the book, she's just sort of a monster.) And I think Meryl Streep is seriously awesome in the role. And just to bring it full circle, I think Steve Carell as Michael Scott as Meryl Street as Miranda Priestly is one of the best scenes ever in The Office.
Posted by: broke bertha | October 29, 2007 12:58 AM
Yes indeed-y. The ears are quite nice, and the little red bow suits you. Splend-if-or-i-fic.
xoxo
Emms
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Emms! I'm so glad you're here. I just woke up and guess what? I am out of chocolate chip cookies! How will I make it through my day?!
Posted by: Emms | October 29, 2007 02:23 AM
that's tragic, because Ioan Gruffold is my boyfriend.
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I won't tell Rupert Grint.
Posted by: Jenn The Sister | October 29, 2007 07:35 AM
Ooooh, if Minnie ever retires, I'm SO voting for you to replace her!
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Thanks, Shari, but they'll probably get someone without a ridiculous southern accent. Sigh.
Posted by: shari | October 29, 2007 07:52 AM
There is a picture very like the fourth (the one of you) in a book I love called Navigating by the Stars by Vernon Fisher. Maybe you own a copy.
Hello, Heather Anne.
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A wonderful man sent me a copy of that book once. I keep it handy at all times. :)
Posted by: scott | October 29, 2007 08:20 AM
I'm so torn about seeing Dan in Real Life, because it's like . . . does my love for Steve Carell outweigh my hatred for Dane Cook? I just don't know.
Also, The Devil Wears Prada may be the most poorly written book in the history of literature. I loved the movie, though.
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Okay, I totally understand, because I hate Dane Cook. No, seriously. Some people hate terrorists. I hate Dane Cook. But for the most part he was pretty benign in this movie. Also, thank you for understanding about The Devil Wears Prada book. Also, do you know how many days it is until Thanksgiving?
Posted by: Jennie! | October 29, 2007 08:43 AM
Steve is the worst kisser ever huh? That's so sad. But I have to ask - is he worse than Harrison Ford? Because as much as I love that man (and I do!) I cringe everytime he kisses a girl onscreen.
Also - love the hat but especially love the t-shirt! Why hello Nova Scotia, a province I've visted in my beloved native country!
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You know, I've never noticed with Harrison Ford. Which means that, yes, Steve Carell is worse. Way, way worse, because when he goes to kiss someone on screen I want to shout, "MICHAEL, NOOOO!" And thank you. My sister bought that shirt for me.
Posted by: Elizabeth | October 29, 2007 11:27 AM
You are so right. The first Fantastic Four was a total commercial. How disappointing.
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Did you see the second one? Was it any better?
Posted by: churlita | October 29, 2007 11:33 AM
I loved Dan in Real Life. Though it's hard to watch that immediately following a viewing of Michael Scott being "Prison Mike". Ya know?
And did you notice how the very beginning was like the very beginning of 40 Year Old Virgin? Except without the...you know...weird.
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Yes, the beginning was totally the same. Without the the, um, you know.
"You know why they call me prison Mike?"
"Do you really expect us to believe you're somebody else?"
"Do you really expect me to not push you up against the wall, beeyotch? All right, hey, hey, that's just the way we talk in the clink."
Posted by: Heather B. | October 29, 2007 11:49 AM
Charles just got me to start watching 30Rock this weekend. It took me a couple of episodes because I kept thinking that it was so ridiculous but now I am hooked and you are right, it is smart!
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It IS so smart. Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey are really, really funny together. "What's a triangle graph?" "I don't know; it sounded real!" I'm glad you are watching.
Posted by: Jenn (the not-sister) | October 29, 2007 11:49 AM
I love a blog post with a good callback ending. Back when Fantastic Four first came out, the tag line was "Are You Prepared?" which naturally, my bf and I thought was the funniest thing ever. How do you prepare for a cheesy comic adaptation? Now, every time we go to see a movie, we check on each other's preparedness first.
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Francis Bacon said one of my all-time favorite things: "As regards plot I find real life no help at all. Real life seems to have no plots. And as I think a plot desirable and almost necessary, I have this extra grudge against life." I think that's why I like callback endings so much. How do you check for movie preparedness? "Twizzlers? Check. Contraband soda? Check." ...?
Posted by: Noelle | October 29, 2007 12:01 PM
Thank you for posting the Michael Scott Prada clip. YOU ARE NOT GOING TO PARIS.
Also, I loved Dan in Real Life. Did you see the Noah's Ark movie with Lauren Graham? I wonder if he tries to kiss her in it? Watching that might make me love him less. (Sad that I can't remember the name of that movie?)
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I can't watch anyone besides Luke kiss Lauren Graham, AND I THINK YOU KNOW THAT.
Posted by: Abigail M. Schilling | October 29, 2007 12:57 PM
I so want to see Dan in Real Life, but I am afraid now that I won't be able to get past the kissing thing, Heather! Just like before I went to see the movie about Johnny Cash and everyone was like Juaquine Phoenix was born with a cleft pallet, and then I couldn't get past the scar on his upper lip!
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The kissing doesn't last long, so you could, like, cover your eyes. And the rest of the movie is really very sweet. And the little girls in it are lovely. Hey, guess where I am having tacos this weekend? YOUR HOUSE!
Posted by: Melissa | October 29, 2007 02:59 PM
I love Luke. And Michael Scott. In different ways.
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It's because your lips know who they want to kiss and who they want to laugh at. Interesting that your true loves are both balding. I wonder if Jacob has hair.
Posted by: Abigail M. Schilling | October 29, 2007 03:08 PM
I know you are! On Sunday! I am SO excited and so is Court!
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And so am I! And so are Manmaw and Tom!
Posted by: Melissa Coleman | October 29, 2007 03:11 PM
I have a relevant Private Practice quote but you wouldn't get it, hater.
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I assume you are using the second-person personal pronoun in the collective form. As in, "I have a relevant Private Practice quote but you (every person in America) wouldn't get it, hater(s).
Posted by: Abigail M. Schilling | October 29, 2007 03:59 PM
“I don’t want to sound like a weirdo fan . . ."
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Very funny!
Posted by: reddirtgirl | October 29, 2007 07:03 PM
Never go with a hippie to a second location.
~Jack Donaghy
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We can start our own network called Bitch TV! Or… the second thing we think of. - Liz Lemon
Posted by: Jenn (the not-sister) | October 29, 2007 08:02 PM
Came upon this blog from the NaBloPoMo randomiser. Loved the post, loved the comments (is there anyone who does not love Luke?)
I am glad to hear Dan in Real Life is good because I really want to see it and I don't want Dane Cook (whom I hate also) to suck it all up.
And, 30 Rock...rocks!
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Hi, Nicole! Thanks for commenting. I don't know anyone who doesn't love Luke. My roommate is going to marry either him or the guy from The Bachelor. Right now she's leaning toward The Bachelor, but that's only because it's on.
Posted by: Nicole | October 29, 2007 08:41 PM
Your roommate is crazy if she chooses The Bachelor over Luke. I mean, I guess that means I don't have to beat her up when she tries to steal Luke from me, but still. I like my boyfriend to be appreciated.
Posted by: Abigail M. Schilling | October 30, 2007 12:21 AM
I loved The Devil Wears Prada movie too, even though we only went to see it because it was choice between that or "Talladega Nights"--and at that point, I still hadn't seen "Bewitched", which finally changed my mind about Will Farrell. So, anyway. I don't remember why I loved it so much, either. I think it's that she finally gave her head a shake in the end--and that Miranda respected her for it, even if she didn't quite come around herself.
I didn't actually mind the first Fantastic Four--but the second one really was bad, so there's probably no point in you guys even looking at the display anymore.
Stick to Michael Macfadyen. Smart.
Posted by: Talena | October 30, 2007 01:09 AM
HEY! When did you come back to us? No one told me, gah!
Gabriel LOVES the FF movie, but his excuse is that he's only 3. And half Welsh , so maybe he feels he has to support Uncle Ioan ;) x
Posted by: Clare | October 30, 2007 06:40 AM
Yes! You already said what I was going to say, in a comment back to your first comment. That episode of "The Office" had be literally laughing to so hard I was crying.
"He's watching Million Dollar Baby. He's going to try to kill me."
Posted by: kerrianne | October 30, 2007 12:52 PM
Who is Luke?
Posted by: lizzie | October 30, 2007 02:46 PM